Other artists included in this exhibition are:

is a local Brooklyn artist residing in the Ditmas Park area. Jessica paints in water colors and acrylics and makes mosaics. She has volunteered with Groundswell Mural Arts Project where she worked with youth from low income communities. She has exhibited her work at the Brooklyn Waterfront and Artist Collective, Casa el Sol, the Flatbush Artist Studio Tour among other venues. Her work sits in many homes and also at the Metropolitan Diploma Plus High School. Jessica is also an illustrator and short story writer and has a manuscript out to publishers and agents. Jessica is originally from Pakistan. www.jessicadias.org

" My painting depicts the perils faced by immigrants, from near and distant lands, as they make their way to the United States of America. The people in this painting traveled on a boat that capsized because the weight of the people was more than the vessel could carry and most did not survive. This reflects the reality of our system, which, in an effort to keep people out, forces the riskiest of journeys and places many lives in jeopardy. Metaphorically, my painting addresses the frustration that we have with the system as it illustrates the contrast of sinking, broken dreams with wide expectations of the land of the free. "

 

Soy una pintora dominicana y he participado en diversas exposiciones, incluyendo exposiciones en el Colegio Dominicano de Artistas Plásticos. Soy miembro fundador del grupo Altiplast de la Ciudad de la Vega en República Dominicana. Emigré a Nueva York en 1993, aquí formé parte del Taller Experimental de Arte. Actualmente soy maestra de arte en Yonkers, NY

Como artista inmigrante de la República Dominicana siento una añoranza de mi tierra, sus costumbres, sus tradiciones. Esta memoria se refleja en mi trabajo.

was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1976. He comes from a great family, rich in history and a diverse background of artistic mediums such as music, acting, writing and fine art. Kolman's move to New York City exposed him to a fantastic art scene. He was specially influenced by urban art around Soho and some of the graffiti that plagued the Big Apple. He has been residing in NYC since 1989 and has been involved in construction for over 12 years.

The painting evokes images of exploitation, the personal, physical and psychological sacrifices and contributions made by those willing to make an honest way of living in this country.

is an accomplished artist who comes from the Ivory Coast in West Africa, where he has founded two centers of art and culture. He has been a professor of African Art and Culture for the past 20 years and has developed an international reputation through his travels overseas to various European countries, notably Italy, France, Germany and Norway where he has studied, taught classes and held exhibits of his art work. Professor Baya is proficient in French, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, English and two African languages. Mr. Baya is the Executive General Secretary for the ACNAA. He is also honored as an ambassador for Peace by the Universal Peace Federation.

Professor Sompohi Baya's art work represents a unique synthesis of his two very different world experiences. This synthesis, Go thic-maskology , is a brilliant combination and vision of the African Mask culture with the great gothic church tradition. His projects are inspired by the values of human spirit linking African humanism with European spirituality with the objective of shedding light on the communality of the human spirit as one tries to fathom God, the creation, the ancestors and each individual and our spiritual relationships.

- Nací en El Salvador. JGuz, esa es la forma como firmo mis obras. Me defino como un artista autodidacta, manejo la técnica del óleo y mixta con acrílico, además de la tinta china, acuarela y arte digital, así como la escultura. Mi fuente de inspiración es el contexto que me rodea, vivencias, familia, ideales y visión de plasmar un mensaje que invite a la reflexión.Mis obras se han exhibido en NYC, Long Island, Boston y Rhode Island. Actualmente soy el director de Ikarus Gallery Cultural Program.

La obra está inspirada en la esperanza de muchos, que los motiva a realizar un viaje a un futuro incierto. Aun a costa de sus vidas.

was born in Korea. She received a BFA and MFA from Hong-Ik University's college of Fine Arts and the Graduate School of Painting in 1999. She also completed the course of Fine Arts Philosophy Doctor in 2004. Following her studies in Seoul, she came to New York where she was awarded the William Bradley Bettridge Memorial Scholarship in 2008, and the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council's Swing Space Developmental Residency and Grant. She has had 4 solo shows. Her recent exhibitions have been at the 2008 Affordable Art Fair in NY and the Walter Wickiser gallery in NY. www.shyooart.com

"In my recent project I look at the hazardous waste sites in the urban landscape in order to explore the transformation of a space over time. The link is New York and Seoul, which are connected to my personal background. I come from Korea and as an immigrant I have xperienced many difficulties living in NYC. The landscape, the image at the back, is the Queens Borough Bridge. It looks like and represents my confused and conflicted mind."

(Fragua) nació en Moraza, El Salvador en 1974. Es poeta, pintor y caricaturista. Ha participado en diferentes exposiciones en El Salvador y Nueva York. También ha dado recitales de poesía, ilustrado manuales, elaborado murales, creado franjas humoristas para revistas y realizado caricaturas para periódicos.

“Nuestro Calvario” refleja el sufrimiento en todos los sentidos por el simple hecho de no tener papeles. Esta pintura también manifiesta nuestra fe en Dios, quien nos ayuda a seguir adelante. Se puede ver una reforma migratoria caída. Pero, la mariposa simboliza nuestra esperanza que pronto será una realidad.

- Este huipil es obra de un colectivo de mujeres bordadoras llamado Grupo Maya Kíche de Brooklyn. Este grupo es compuesto por mujeres inmigrantes de Guatemala. Como grupo tenemos el propósito de ejercer nuestra artesanía y usar nuestras habilidades para ganarnos la vida.

Esta obra representa el huipil típico de San Andrés Xecul, Guatemala. En el huipil se expresa la importancia de las montañas, el sol y el bienestar de los animales dentro de la naturaleza.

I came to the USA from Mexico in 1993 for a one-year sojourn that became a life changing move. I studied Studio Art at Hollins University. After graduating in 1998 I was fortunate to follow my art career, which has taken me to exhibit in three countries so far. Last year I opened my own art studio, which I use to present primarily my work but, also the work of other Latinos seeking a place to start. It is also a place to present my mexicanidad and the evolving ideas of the diverse person I have become.

"I describe my work as the result of the interaction between my deepest interests in life and my willingness to express them publicly. My interests vary from the serious and philosophical to the playful; this tends to be my daily attitude towards life. In this, my latest piece, I am exploring the relationship that exists between my people, my land and myself; how its history shapes mine and the destiny we are molding both together and individually from our daily interactions. I have great expectations for the outcome that follows from an attitude of love and communion. My revolution is in my choices."

"I was born in Argentina. I have a Master's degree in Fine Art. I have been featured in radio, TV and art magazines in Argentina and Italy. I also have participated in several exhibitions in Italy, Argentina and the United States."

La obra representa el deseo de superacion y progreso de todo aquel que llega a los Estados Unidos. Esa búsqueda de las metas personales aparece reflejada en la verticalidad y ascensión de los personajes retratados. A su vez, esos mismos personajes. (Los inmigrantes) están siendo pisoteados, aplastados y maltratados por la desconsideración, arrogancia e insensibilidad de otros individuos.

As a graphic designer, painter and photographer having over 35 years of rich experience in different fields of art in Pakistan, I moved to New York in 1998 amidst great hope and expectations. A sensitive artist like me who formally studied art in Peshawar University, Pakistan and Italy; has exhibited his artwork in over dozen countries like USA, London, Canada, Japan, China, Germany, India, Bangladesh, Italy & France; for him migrating to New York was like a dream coming true. Even after teaching art in Pakistan (where I used to own an art gallery) for 15 years, I felt here great opportunities were awaiting and virtually I was late in coming to USA. Here, I learned a great deal which perhaps I could not have done anywhere else. My dream is to open an art gallery in New York and teach art to my students. I want to disseminate my knowledge and practical experience which I acquired though my 35 years of working in Pakistan, Asia and USA.

"In this graphic I show a street of the Muree Bazaar. It is done in mixed media in which I used about 8 wood blocks and some blocks of screen prints. Muree is about 7000 feet above sea level and 1 hour away from Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. It attracts millions of tourists. It is famous for its scenic beauty, snow falls, green mountains and old Victorian style houses. I am a sensitive artist and I still miss my beloved country a great deal especially during different festivals and specific occasions. "

"As a child I always loved art, but later chose to study science. Science gave me a career and allowed me to immigrate to the United States. After working as a chemist for many years, I decided to go back to my first love, art. In 2005 I joined Spanish painter Pedro Pacheco's oil painting workshop. I have been painting passionately ever since. I am currently a member of the Douglaston National Art League and the Flushing Council on Culture and Arts. "

"The Statue of Liberty represents freedom and hope, which many people in other countries do not have. This painting expresses how deprived people long for and try to immigrate to the USA where they will have the freedom and choice of a better life. "

"My name is Omon Okor and I am from Nigeria. A new little life always brings hope. That was me, hope. I am from a little town called Urmoi, a community full of good people, where people go without food for days and are still happy. As a woman they say no school for you, just work. I had to work twice as hard as a man – abuse, beating, rape. Things I don't like to talk about. I grew up with my father who was the love of my life. At 9 years old I was father and mother to myself. It was raining really hard the day I buried my daddy; the angels were crying. “I am going to write a book someday” I would tell him. He said “if I'm in it don't forget to tell everybody how good looking I am”. I came here (US) because I lost all I had – my pride as a woman. I was locked up in CCA for 7 months and 5 days. That is where I saw God. I just want to say thank you Jesus and for the people he brought into my life, to all those God uses in blessing me. This is my story although it belongs to so many others. "

Guillerma Escobar

This work acknowledges all the women who have died crossing the border, women who have been erased from USA-Mexico migration history. IRCA has created a gender shift in undocumented immigration. As a Mexicana fronteriza (a woman who has Mexican ancestry and nationality but has the Chicana experience and lives in the borderlands) I am the product of this border region, its culture, politics, social stratification and educational system. The borderlands will always be my home, my safe place, my meeting ground with my ancestors.

Balam Soto

"Immigrating to the United States allowed me to become a successful artist. Learning to adapt to this new culture was very difficult for me, but the experience allowed me to find myself as an artist. This painting is the first painting I created which truly integrated my Mayan identity with the new opportunities and lessons I met here."

-- artista venezolano, surrealista; nació en San Felipe en 1969. A sus 17 años ingreso en la Escuela de Arte Blanca Estrella D' Mescoli. Se especializo en pintura al oleo a los 22 años realizando estudios en la Escuela Cristóbal Rojas. A sus 25 años viajo y se radicó en la ciudad de Nueva York en donde ha creado la mayor parte de sus obras tales como: Desnudo en la Selva, La oportunidad, La Musa de Papel, Antifaz, Escenario, Ice Cream, Happy Valentin's Day, La Prisión de mi Mente y Save the Earth 2008 entre otras.

El trabajo artístico expresa una protesta en contra de lo que viven los inmigrantes. Durante el año 2008, 600 niños se quedaron sin sus padres, quienes fueron deportados a sus países de origen por carecer de la documentación necesaria para permanecer en el país. Mientras ellos estuvieron detenidos usaron unos brazaletes electrónicos como si fuesen animales, perdiendo cualquier clase de derechos humanos. Mi obra refleja lo que siente una madre al ser separada de sus hijos, mientras existe una estatua de la libertad como símbolo. Qué tipo de libertad es esta?

is a Mexican visual artist, editor and illustrator currently based in Brooklyn, New York. She has had several solo and group exhibitions in Mexico and her work has been published in magazines, art contest-exhibition catalogues and other printed media.

The Waiting belongs to the series “Individuals in a Labyrinth”. It was created during the last year of the artist in her homeland. The series deals with the loneliness and alienation that individuals can experience when they can't find ways to integrate or to communicate with others. This piece was the only painting that the artist brought along from her home country. At her arrival to the US, which coincided with the outburst of swine flu in Mexico, the artist related this work to the alienation suffered by the Mexican immigrant community as a consequence of this phenomenon.

Yo nací en Guatemala en un municipio que se llama Cajola. Yo tengo 20 años de edad. Tenía 15 años cuando me vine a este país. Yo vine aquí para trabajar y ser algo en el futuro. Vine para ayudar a mi familia y aquí estoy, luchando.

Zoot Suits es un tipo de estilo creado por los Chicanos en Los Angeles, California. Yo admiro este estilo porque es un estilo muy fuerte y porque hoy representa los mismos problemas que los Chicanos (hijos de mexicanos nacidos en USA) tenían hace 50 años.

Esta obra está dedicada a todas las personas hombres y mujeres que dejaron su cálido y acogedor hogar en busca de una mejor condición de vida para ellos y sus familias. Desde muy temprano salen en busca de un trabajo que les asegure una forma de vivir mejor. Motivados por el bienestar de sus seres queridos van por la tierra de la libertad y del sueño americano en busca de un trabajo que lo dignifique como ser humano. “Dios bendiga América”

Rafael Gavilano es un pintor peruano. Nace en Lima en 1968 y realiza sus estudios primarios y secundarios en el Colegio Nacional 1174 de su distrito. Posteriormente realiza estudios de dibujo y representacion arquitectónica. Esto despierta su interés por las artes e ingresa a la Escuela de Bellas Artes del Perú. En 1992 egresa en la especialidad de dibujo y pintura. En 1997 viaja a Cuba a realizar un postgrado de dibujo en el ISA. Ha realizado diversas exposiciones en el Perú como en el extranjero siendo las más destacadas : “Pacha Mama” Galeria Dias Pelaez. Habana, Cuba; “DEJANDO HUELLAS” Artes Perú 2000 C&A FIME ART. Miami, Florida EEUU; NOCHE DE ARTE - Residencia del Embajador de los Estados Unidos; Galería 31. Freehold, NJ – EEUU. “ Harvest of the Soul ”

is a Colombian artist. He works and lives in New York since 1980. At an early age he dreamed of becoming a fine artist. After his arrival to “The Big Apple” Julio had his first contact with the art world masterpieces in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Julio then pursued art studies at The Art Students League where he took anatomical drawing classes. The artist had his first solo exhibition in 1994. Julio is very concern with addressing social issues and the human condition with his art.

"The painting explores Diaspora as a personal and political limbo. A topography of a place that is neither here nor there, suspended in time and space. As an immigrant artist, to me, it evokes simultaneity of absence and presence and speaks to the conceptual battles that inform my art. Like a nomad, I am only interested in the present. It's a conscious place and choice that I make everyday. "

Soy colombiano, nacido en Armenia. Años más tarde al llegar a este país empecé a descubrir el interés por las artes visuales y manuales. Esta ciudad y su arquitectura me inspira mucho.

Yo como artista inmigrante visualizo a Nueva York en su monumental dimensión, con su vibrante energía e infinito colorido y formas como un mosaico multicolor, multirracial y multiétnico. Este mosaico se asemeja a la multitud de seres humanos que residimos en ella. Encuentro que en contraste a la arquitectura, donde los edificios se encuentran prácticamente uno encima del otro, los habitantes de esta ciudad no podríamos encontrarnos mas alienados y solos.

es una artista visual y muralista chilena. Estudió arte en Chile, Cuba e Italia. Su obra artística se encuentra en colecciones privadas alrededor del mundo. Virginia ha tenido varias exhibiciones individuales y en grupo tanto en los Estados Unidos como en Europa. Su trabajo ha sido el objeto de muchos premios y reconocimientos. Actualmente ella pinta, diseña joyas y enseña pintura en Nueva York. www.art-ayress.cl

"I am an Ecuadorian self-taught textile/fiber artist, crafter and quilter. The earliest memory I have of my grandmother is her blind in one eye, sitting down and by hand piecing together blankets with the utmost care and patience. Fabric and fibers are the media I choose to create and express my view of the world and my internal journey. The divine feminine is a recurrent theme in my creations. My work explores the sacred that is within us all. It strives to find a greater clarity and honor human spirituality in an art form. I have taught crafts for many years in New York."

"This piece is one in series of goddesses. It celebrates the faith that many immigrants have for the “Mother”. The Guadalupe syncretizes Christian and indigenous religious symbolism, but represents much more than that. Her image has become an icon in the fight for liberation, a symbol of justice, self-determination and hope in the struggle to survive. An expression of the divine feminine, she comes from a long line of Mayan and Aztec warrior goddesses, Tonantzin (lunar mother goddess) and Coatlicue (Serpent earth goddess) to name a few. "

El gusto de dibujar nace en mi a la edad de ocho anos y siendo apoyado por mis padres comencé a participar en concursos escolares. Cuando conocí al pintor Luis de Antunano, el despertó en mi la inquietud de realizar pinturas en oleo, acrílico, pastel, etc. He realizado exposiciones en museos y centros culturales.

La obra representa en primer lugar, el milagro de la vida por medio de la mujer. Ella al sentir en su interior a ese pequeño ser, refleja a través de todo su cuerpo, la dicha de ser madre.

nació en Colombia. Ha estudiado arte en México, Francia, Italia y los Estados Unidos. Su trabajo se ha expuesto en exhibiciones de grupo e individuales en México, Colombia, Venezuela, Suiza, Londres y Nueva York. Ha sido el recipiente de varios premios. Su obra también se encuentra en la colección del Museo de Arte Moderno de Neiva, Colombia.

Como artista colombiano visualizo la problemática del inmigrante como un proceso por el cual la persona no puede desarrollar sus capacidades, creando una gran frustración. El choque de culturas sumado a otros factores hace que el inmigrante se sienta a niveles inferiores a pesar de su capacidad.

Nací en Puerto Rico hace 62 años. Llegue a este país como todo el mundo, a trabajar. Trabaje en la costura. Pero siempre me interesé en el arte.

Me inspiran todas las culturas del mundo. Las mujeres asiáticas me inspiran por el misterio que se capta en ellas.

Nací en un pintoresco pueblo de Puerto Rico. Llegue a Nueva York a fines del año 1951. Trabaje por casi 36 años en una agencia que sirve a la comunidad del Barrio. Tengo 4 hijos, 6 nietos y 2 bisnietos. En la actualidad pertenezco al taller de arte “Los Rebeldes del Barrio”.

Como inmigrante puertorriqueña y esposa de un mejicano, me inspire en esta obra como homenaje a todos los mejicanos.

Nací en Guatemala y primero emigre a Puerto Rico. Luego vine a los Estados Unidos hace 50 años. Trabaje en la industria textil. Estudie educación y trabaje de maestra en St. John the Divine. Después de mi retiro asisto al taller “Los Rebeldes del Barrio”.

Nací en un país tropical y mi inspiración son el mar, el cielo, las rocas y piedras, son siempre mi sueño.

Nací en Puerto Rico. Estudie y trabaje en Nueva York. Trabaje en varias entidades públicas. Tengo 7 hijos. Siempre he tenido interés en las artes. He asistido a diferentes talleres de artesanías. En la actualidad pertenezco al taller de arte “Los Rebeldes del Barrio”.

Como inmigrante de Puerto Rico recuerdo como papá se sentaba debajo de un árbol a tocar la guitarra. Esto me hace añorar grandemente mi tierra y mis padres.

Estudie en Puerto Rico. Llegue a Nueva York en el año 1965. Trabaje en la industria de la floricultura. También trabaje en el sistema de salud. Soy madre soltera de 3 hijos. Me gusta el arte porque me relaja.

Pinte estas flores porque me recuerdan mi tierra, añoro el color de ellas.

Nací en un pueblo de Puerto Rico. Llegué en barco a Nueva York. Estudié y trabajé en Nueva York. Trabajé como superintendente de edificios. Tengo 4 hijos. Mi hobby fue criar animales en El barrio, por tanto traje mi cultura aquí. Siempre me gustó la pintura y tengo una maestra chilena que me enseña pintura ahora viejito. Me gusta pescar y soy del grupo de arte “Los Rebeldes del Barrio”.

Mi trabajo está inspirado en los indígenas mexicanos. Soy boricua pero me gustan todas las culturas.

Nací en Perú. Para mejorar económicamente viaje a Nueva York. Extrañaba mucho a mis hijos. Ellos fueron mi estrella que me animaba a trabajar duro.

Mis hijos son lo más querido para mí. Ellos se quedaron en Perú esperando por mí. Pude con mi labor diaria pagar sus estudios universitarios. Actualmente ellos viven en Puerto Rico.

Soy colombiano. Viví en Cali, Colombia hasta la edad de 17 años cuando terminé mis estudios en el colegio parroquial Divino Salvador. Después viví en Miami, Florida por 4 años. Ahí aprendí inglés y creció mi pasión por la pintura. Es esta pasión la que me trae a Nueva York, donde vivo hace 3 años.

Soledad es una obra basada en un sentimiento por el cual muchos pasamos y vivimos a menudo debido a la distancia de nuestros seres queridos. Nos falta el olor de nuestra tierra querida y nuestra cultura. Los cambios del idioma y hasta de la comida empujan a que se añore lo que se ha dejado atrás. Todo esto me lleva a una soledad que expande mi admiración por mi gente apasionada.

The artist was born in Bulgaria and since 1998 lives and works in the USA. He graduated from the National Academy of Fine Arts in Sofia with a MFA in Painting. Mr. Yordanov has specialized in Italy under Prof. Josef Kosuth and in Austria under Prof. Agnes Denes. He is a founder of the Chicago Art Center in 2007 and the Museum of Modern Art Chicago in 2008, both as a conceptual opposition to the institutionalization of art. He has participated in more than 100 exhibitions in Europe and America, including Queens Museum of Art, Chicago Cultural Center, National Palace of Culture – Sofia, Ratti Foundation – Como, Gagliardi Gallery – London, Stedelijk Museum Hof Van Busleyden – Meechelen.

“American Dream in Pink” is based on a personal experience through the years of a transition in life, my journey from Bulgaria to the USA, after the changes in Eastern Europe since 1989. This is an interpretation of the journey and transformation theme, as well as, the idea of the “American Dream”. Nothing is steady, everything is “unstable” balance, including the dreams and their “colors”. The work is built on the collage/reminiscent principle. It includes a variable of elements – imaginary scenes and images. It offers different levels of communication based on the personal viewer's experience.

is a Colombian born emerging artist based in Jackson Heights, Queens. This social environmental activist is a teaching artist at the International Center of Photography's community program. He has used photography as a tool for social change at The Point in the South Bronx and with Friends of Island Academy, a program for youth transitioning out of incarceration. Currently, he is participating in the Laundromat Project's Create Change Public Artist Residence program where he will be recording visually and verbally personal journeys (as immigrants, as New Yorkers, as human beings) using a photo booth-meets-confessional stationed at this local laundromat.

"In this photograph, I captured the face of invisibility, putting the spotlight on a community that survives in the shadows and simultaneously emerges from the underground opening the doors and breaking barriers for other minorities. I have been capturing this noticeable work that unconsciously we ignore. This piece homage the labor of immigrants-the hands that construct our cities, harvest our crops, clean our homes and the arms that cradle our children. Immigrants are more than workers; they have made the social landscape of towns and cities rich cultural grounds for diversity and tolerance. "

"I was born in England and grew up in Scotland where I attended Edinburgh College of Art. I taught in Edinburgh before relocating to Nigeria, West Africa where I lived for six years. In 1969 I came to live in Brooklyn, New York.

"This work is part of a series which attempts to document the lives of some of my neighbors and the changes that are taking place in my community of Crown Heights where I have lived for the last thirty seven years.

Nací en Cuba y ahora vivo en Nueva York. Soy retirado. En la actualidad pertenezco al taller de arte “Los Rebeldes del Barrio”.

La mamá gallina porque me recuerda los campos cuando yo era chico.

was born one year after her beloved brother Toño in Colón, Panamá. She was raised among children from China, Jamaica and Trinidad in an environment of pluralism based on the emblem of Panamá that says in Latin “Pro Mundi Beneficio”. Her parents entrusted Graciela to the care of her oldest sister who moved to Lajas, Puerto Rico when Graciela was 12 years old. Ana Muñoz Henríquez and Mortimer Henríquez Pagán became Graciela's guardians. Graciela taught educational drama in Puerto Rico. In 1974 she began working in District 7 Bronx schools. As an adjunct lecturer at Hostos Community College she taught elementary school courses including creative arts. She recently retired after working 42 years as an educator. She has been a board member of Pregones Theatre in the South Bronx since 1993. She is a member of Mujeres Por La Paz and Taller Experimental de Arte.

" This quilted mosaic is a mixed media project sewn with a variety of fabrics and other materials. As a child I lived alongside immigrant families from many lands who had come to Panamá to seek a new life. My sister, Chava, my brother–in–law, Morty, a Puerto Rican soldier and I traveled by boat from Panamá to Puerto Rico. I will never forget that experience. It was years later that I came to New York to work. As a Panamanian immigrant I can appreciate the richness of all the world's cultures and their contributions. As one who has found opportunities in Puerto Rico and here in New York City it is my wish that other immigrants also may be given the opportunity to succeed here. "

Soy Aurelio y esta es mi historia: Nací en Guatemala en 1988. Desde muy chamaquito empecé andar en la calle. Nunca escuché los consejos de mis padres. Pensé que en la calle iba a encontrar una buena vida. Busqué el amor y no lo hallé, al contrario cometí un error, por el cual estoy sufriendo. Le pido a Dios que me perdone. Fui rebelde e hice sufrir a mi madre. Ahora quiero su perdón porque yo sé que ella me ama. Aquellos amigos que encontré en la calle todos se fueron, ninguno se quedo a mi lado. Ahora encontré un amigo fiel que se llama Jesús. El y mi familia son mis amigos. Jesús es tu amigo fiel. Dios le bendiga.

"Sentado en mi pequeña silla de metal observo alrededor mío y solo veo grupos de hombres pagando por sus crímenes; cualquiera que este sea, pues al final delante de los demás somos unos criminales. Detrás de cada carita veo un alma sola y deprimida. Unos llevan unas caretas ocultando lo que realmente son. Otros se encierran en sus celdas para desahogar su dolor a solas, pues tienen miedo de enseñar su debilidad en esta soledad. Esta es nuestra vida en una oscura y fría celda. Nuestro dolor es mutuo. Juntos también sabemos que algún día le podremos demostrar a la gente que amamos cuanta falta nos hicieron en esta soledad."

Amigo, oye, aún cuando parezca que todo el mundo te condena y te señala, siempre hay alguien que deja la piedra en el piso para darte libertad. Porque tropezando se aprende a caminar. Nadie se pierde sabiendo que lo único que tiene que hacer es levantarse y seguir su camino. El 4-12-08 caí preso. Esto es lo que hay en este lugar.

I am an immigrant from Sri Lanka, an island known as the “pearl” of the Indian Ocean. It is full of culture and a rich heritage that still prevail amongst the changing modern society.

"I travelled to this magnificent land “The United States of America” to make use of the opportunities it had to offer me. Being a full time student at Baruch College and a full time employee, I still manage to spend time painting and do what I am passionate about. I inherited the skills from both my parents and started painting at the very young age of 7. Over the past 8 years I have secured many prizes from competitions and exhibitions in Sri Lanka.
saaa The theme of this oil painting is love and marriage. I aim to emphasize the transformation of the Sri Lankan marriage to the western world. As an immigrant artist, this transformation will remain part of the American life through my painting.
aaaa I use common birds such as cockerels and hens as symbols of love. I choose to work with these birds, found mostly in Sri Lankan villages, to highlight the value of this emotion, which is a part of every human being whether they are rich or poor, black or white, Asian or American. I adorned the birds with peacock feathers to show respect for their simple love. "

Soy boricua. Trabajé como enfermera en Nueva York. Tengo 3 hijos. Vivo en el Barrio. Siempre tuve pasión por la pintura y después que me retire busque por muchos años maestros de arte en los centros de envejecientes. Al fin, mi camino toco con el de Virginia Ayress, la maestra chilena que me enseña pintura. Soy del grupo de arte “Los Rebeldes del Barrio”.

"Mi trabajo está inspirado en el trabajo del obrero de la zafra. Me recuerda Puerto Rico y todo lo que es de mi tierra. Esta pintura obtuvo el primer en un concurso de arte del Centro Cultural Alianza Dominicana en 2005."

El sistema nos controla con muchos papeles, una credencial para esto, una credencial para lo otro. Pienso que no deberían haber fronteras que limiten la libre circulación del ser humano para la satisfacción de las necesidades básicas de el y su familia. Con los simples hechos de hablar y comunicarse porque hasta el mínimo papel se convierte en dinero y el dinero es papel. Imaginémonos sin ningún papel cuantos arbole salvaríamos, es mas ventajoso para la protección de la naturaleza que los seres humanos vivamos sin papeles, no aquellos papeles para probar que somos seres humano y por lo tanto todos los seres humanos tenemos derechos naturales de vivir en esta tierra … sin papeles….

"Mi nombre es Filiberto Perez-Mendoza. Naci en Mixquiahuala, Hidalgo,Mexico. Desde muy pequeño me gusto dibujar en la primaria para cumplir con mis tareas que requerían alguna ilustración. Al no contar con suficientes recursos económicos, en la Secundaria continue dibujando con lápiz y lapicero. En la Preparatoria tuve la oportunidad de tomar un curso de dibujo donde me enseñaron a usar las pinturas (Aceite) y pinceles y a iluminar mejor. En 2002 emigre a los Estados Unidos en busca de un mejor porvenir y de esa forma ayudar a mis padres económicamente. El poder dibujar después de un largo dia de trabajo me ha servido como una forma de meditación. Por medio del dibujo he podido expresar todas las contradicciones que representan las injusticias que sufrimos los inmigrantes en el Condado de Suffolk en Long Island Nueva York. "

"Over my 21 years as an immigrant in different countries, I have been experiencing a difficult path. As painful as it sometimes can be, it also is beautiful. To see the world outside my hometown in a completely different environment is like diving into a colorful waterfall. While I am dreaming, the city lights shine in a distant horizon. I tend to hide myself in caves. My feelings have become frozen from the hardship and dangerous steep of my path. But my will remains as strong as the hues of colors in my picture. My hope is as infinite as the sky. The pathway is long and arduous but I am always accompanied by friends who stand by me like the rocks and trees along my way. "

"I am a self taught artist born in Bahia, Brazil in December 1964. I came from a family of artists and educators. My interest in art surfaced in my early teens but I only recently began to seriously embrace it as a career undertaking. Around the middle of 2006, I started to draw in black and white. By 2007, I had begun to do illustrations in color pencil and my experience with paints evolved in 2008. Some time later, I developed a passion for photography. Cultivating these varied art interests is quite a challenge, especially when funds are not plentiful. I have learned to be resourceful and taught myself how to use several kinds of software that I can apply to turn my artwork into diverse kinds of prints. Like much of my artwork, I am a work in progress, striving to achieve higher heights in my chosen career path." www.the artsof suereboucas.info

is an immigrant from El Salvador. He came to the US 23 years ago in 1986. He is a day laborer organizer.

"My painting reflects my impression of El Salvador upon returning after 20 years. In place of the bare hills were houses built by the remittances from the Salvadorean immigrants in US, changing the image of the countryside. "

 

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